City Supports Western Province Rugby's Bid to Host International Rugby Board Sevens World Series

The City of Cape Town is hoping that Capetonians will soon be able to experience one of the most exciting and entertaining international sport tournaments at the Cape Town Stadium, namely the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series.

The City is formally supporting Western Province Rugby's (WP Rugby) bid to host the IRB Sevens World Series at the Cape Town Stadium between 2011 and 2015, and is committed to provide funding and municipal services for the hosting of the tournament over this period.

From humble beginnings, the IRB Sevens World Series has grown to a worldwide phenomenon now attracting huge crowds of more than five hundred thousand (500 000) people and a television audience in about one hundred and forty (140) countries, across six (6) continents.

The current contract between the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) and the IRB comes to an end after the South African leg hosted at Outeniqua Park, George, this weekend. SARFU has decided to invite all its member unions to submit bids to host the event for the next five years.

In order for each union to bid for hosting the event, they need to have secured written support and commitment of a host city, as well as a host stadium.

The Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Alderman Dan Plato, has agreed to provide WP Rugby with a written endorsement letter for their bid to host the tournament.

"We support WP Rugby in their bid to bring the IRB Sevens World Series to Cape Town, as it is in line with our strategy of promoting Cape Town as a world class sports destination, and we also know how much Capetonians love their rugby. Our success as a host city for the 2010 FIFA World Cup has given us confidence that we can not only host a successful Sevens Series, but that we offer fans a unique Cape Town experience. We urge Capetonians to get behind WP Rugby and support them in their bid to bring us the Sevens Series," said Mayor Plato.

Hosting an event of this nature can benefit the host city by strengthening partnerships between governments, private and voluntary sectors, providing media, marketing and tourism exposure for the city, encouraging participation in sport, boosting development programmes, offering job and business opportunities as well as growing the volunteer movement and their experience.

Councillor Brett Herron, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, said visitors to the South African leg of the IRB Sevens World Series could expect a feast of fun, and a non-stop rugby party should Cape Town win the bid.

"Cape Town has something special to offer the International Rugby Board. Our natural beauty speaks for itself, but it is our intention to create not only a festival of rugby, but also a celebration of our culture. We intend to use this opportunity to grow the game of Sevens Rugby in our communities by involving schools and clubs in sevens programmes. We will ensure that the Cape Town Stadium is filled to capacity every time. We would like to wish all the bidding cities well in their respective bids," said Herron.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town